James Abu scores the winning stroke to send Leek Into the next round.

After an amazing cup run which saw Leek reach the Tier 2 national cup final last year, Leek found themselves with an away tie against Neston. Missing 11 first team players, Leek went with a young team but still full of confidence.

The game started well with leek transferring it around the back. Freddie Bell and Ben Topley were finding the passes into midfield which allowed Dan Oneill, Rich Cordon and Tom Finney with space and time to find the forwards.

The oldest player on the pitch Robert Ashley Cunningham was holding the ball up well and fellow forwards Noah Clarke and Charlie Thackstone linking well . Leek made alot of early circle entries but could but could not find that shot to test the Neston keeper.

Neston with their 1st attack of the game found themselves winning a penalty corner. From this they found themselves 1-0 up. If VAR was in hockey they would have found a clear back stick . However , there is not and the goal counted. Leek continued to attack with Josh woodcock finding the spaces to build the attack from midfield and Ben Mellor playing in an unfamiliar position started to make an influence .
Leek went into the halftime break 1-0 down but were generally happy with their performance.

Leek's wing backs James Abu , Harvey Hughes and Fin Prince worked hard for the team all game moving up and down all the time. Freddie Bell dribbled out of defence , took on two people, passed the ball to Dan Oneill. He continued the run all the way to the back line and found Freddie Bell in space . 5 yards out he was clinical
And Leek found themselves back in the game. Leek then found themselves 2-1 in the most bizarre fashion. Fin Prince passed the ball into Charlie Thackstone who was just inside the circle. He tried to stop and turn on the ball in one motion. However his touch did not go to plan and found itself going towards goal. The Neston keeper decided the leave it and the ball went in. 2-1 up.
Neston started to put abit of pressure on and started to find balls down the line. The Neston farward found himself 1v1 versus Rich cordon who made a block and the umpire decided to award a penalty corner. A well worked routine found themselves level.
With minutes to go Leek won a short corner for themselves. However after 4 opportunities they did not manage to get a clean shot on target . So the game went to penalty srrokes.

Neston went first and put the first stroke wide of the left hand post. Up stepped Dan Oneill who slotted the ball home. Neston scored their second stoke . This time it was Rich Cordon who stepped up. He slotted the ball into the top corner to keep Leek 2-1 up.
Neston's next flick did not even reach the goal. A poor flick which Adam Knott in goal comfortably saved. Freddie Bell was next for Leek. He was nervous stepping up to take it. His flick hit the right hand post but lucky for him the rebounded I to the goal which extended leeks lead to 3-1. Neston scored the next to keep them in it. Up stepped James Abu. If he scored , he was the hero for Leek. And that he was. Slotting the ball past the diving keeper.

A great win for Leek, seeing them into the next round of the cup and securing a home tie in the next round . The road to Lee Valley continues.